Smad3 signaling is required for epithelial-mesenchymal transition of lens epithelium after injury

Lens epithelial cells undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) after injury as in cataract extraction, leading to fibrosis of the lens capsule. Fibrosis of the anterior capsule can be modeled in the mouse by capsular injury in the lens, which results in EMT of the lens epithelium and subsequent deposition of extracellular matrix without contamination of other cell types from outside the lens. We have previously shown that signaling via Smad3, a key signal-transducing element downstream of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and activin receptors, is activated in lens epithelial cells by 12 hours after injury and that this Smad3 activation is blocked by administration of a TGF-beta 2-neutralizing antibody in mice. We now show that EMT of primary lens epithelial cells in vitro depends on TGF-beta expression and that injury-induced EMT in vivo depends, more specifically, on signaling via Smad3. Loss of Smad3 in mice blocks both morphological changes of lens epithelium to a mesenchymal phenotype and expression of the EMT markers snail, alpha-smooth muscle actin, lumican, and type I collagen in response to injury in vivo or to exposure to exogenous TGF-beta in organ culture. The results suggest that blocking the Smad3 pathway might be beneficial in inhibiting capsular fibrosis after injury and/or surgery.     

Loss of osteopontin perturbs the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in an injured mouse lens epithelium

We previously reported that osteopontin (OPN), a matrix structural glycophosphoprotein, is upregulated in the injured mouse lens prior to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Here, we investigated the role of this protein in EMT of the lens epithelium during wound healing. The crystalline lens was injured by needle puncture in OPN-null (KO, n=40) and wild-type (WT, n=40) mice. The animals were killed at day 1, 2, 5, and 10 postinjury. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect alpha-smooth muscle action (alphaSMA), a marker of EMT, collagen type I, transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1), TGFbeta2, and phospho-Smad2/3. Cell proliferation was assayed by examining uptake of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). The results showed that injury-induced EMT of mouse lens epithelium, as evaluated by histology, expression pattern of alphaSMA and collagen I, was altered in the absence of OPN with reduced phospho-Smad2/3 signaling. Upregulation of TGFbeta1 and TGFbeta2 in the epithelium was also inhibited. Cell proliferation was more active in KO mice as compared with WT mice at day 1 and 2, but not at day 5 and 10. An in vitro experiment shows OPN facilitates cell adhesion of lens epithelial cell line. OPN is required for activation of Smad2/3 signal in an injured lens epithelium and lens cell EMT.     

Transforming growth factor-beta-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the lens: a model for cataract formation

The vertebrate lens has a distinct polarity and structure that are regulated by growth factors resident in the ocular media. Fibroblast growth factors, in concert with other growth factors, are key regulators of lens fiber cell differentiation. While members of the transforming growth factor (TGFbeta) superfamily have also been implicated to play a role in lens fiber differentiation, inappropriate TGFbeta signaling in the anterior lens epithelial cells results in an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that bears morphological and molecular resemblance to forms of human cataract, including anterior subcapsular (ASC) and posterior capsule opacification (PCO; also known as secondary cataract or after-cataract), which occurs after cataract surgery. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that this TGFbeta-induced EMT is part of a wound healing response in lens epithelial cells and is characterized by induced expression of numerous extracellular matrix proteins (laminin, collagens I, III, tenascin, fibronectin, proteoglycans), intermediate filaments (desmin, alpha-smooth muscle actin) and various integrins (alpha2, alpha5, alpha7B), as well as the loss of epithelial genes [Pax6, Cx43, CP49, alpha-crystallin, E-cadherin, zonula occludens-1 protein (ZO-1)]. The signaling pathways involved in initiating the EMT seem to primarily involve the Smad-dependent pathway, whereby TGFbeta binding to specific high affinity cell surface receptors activates the receptor-Smad/Smad4 complex. Recent studies implicate other factors [such as fibroblast growth factor (FGFs), hepatocyte growth factor, integrins], present in the lens and ocular environment, in the pathogenesis of ASC and PCO. For example, FGF signaling can augment many of the effects of TGFbeta, and integrin signaling, possibly via ILK, appears to mediate some of the morphological features of EMT initiated by TGFbeta. Increasing attention is now being directed at the network of signaling pathways that effect the EMT in lens epithelial cells, with the aim of identifying potential therapeutic targets to inhibit cataract, particularly PCO, which remains a significant clinical problem in ophthalmology.     

Essential role for Smad3 in angiotensin II‐induced tubular epithelial–mesenchymal transition

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a key mediator of chronic kidney disease, in which epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical process mediated by the TGFβ/Smad signalling pathway. The present study examined the specific role of Smads in Ang II‐induced EMT in vitro and in vivo. We found that Ang II signalled through the receptor of AT1, not AT2, to activate Smad2/3 and induce EMT in a normal rat tubular epithelial cell line (NRK52E). Activation of Smads by Ang II was attributed to degradation of an inhibitory Smad7, which was mediated by the AT1‐Smurf2‐dependent ubiquitin degradation mechanism because blockade of AT1 receptor or knockdown of Smurf2 inhibited Smad7 loss, thereby reducing Smad2/3 activation and EMT in response to Ang II. In contrast, over‐expression of Smad7 inhibited Ang II‐induced Smad2/3 activation and EMT in NRK52E cells and in a rat model of remnant kidney disease. Moreover, knockdown of Smad3, not Smad2, attenuated Ang II‐induced EMT. In conclusion, Ang II activates Smad signalling to induce EMT, which is mediated by a loss of Smad7 through the AT1‐Smurf2‐dependent ubiquitin degradation pathway. Smad3, but not Smad2, may be a mediator of EMT, while Smad7 may play a protective role in EMT in response to Ang II. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

氧化苦参碱抑制高糖诱导的大鼠肾小管上皮-间充质转化及其机制研究

 目的：探讨氧化苦参碱(OM)对高糖诱导的大鼠肾小管上皮-间充质转化（EMT）的抑制作用及其可能机制。方法：体外培养大鼠近端肾小管上皮NRK52E细胞,随机分为：对照组、高糖组、高糖+OM不同浓度组和高糖+0.50 g/L OM动态观察组。采用real-time PCR和Western blotting方法检测转化生长因子β1（TGF-β1）、Smad7、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-SMA）、E-钙黏素（E-cadherin）mRNA和蛋白的表达。结果：（1）与对照组相比,高糖组TGF-β1、α-SMA mRNA和蛋白表达水平均进行性增高,Smad7蛋白表达进行性降低,E-cadherin mRNA和蛋白表达进行性降低,呈时间依赖性（P＜0.05）,而Smad7 mRNA表达进行性增高（P＜0.05）;（2）与高糖组相比,高糖+ OM不同浓度组随OM剂量增加,TGF-β1、α-SMA mRNA和蛋白表达均逐渐降低,Smad7蛋白表达水平逐渐增高,E-cadherin mRNA和蛋白表达水平逐渐增高,且呈剂量依赖性（P＜0.05）,而Smad7 mRNA表达无明显差异;（3）与高糖组相比,高糖+0.50 g/L OM动态观察组TGF-β1、α-SMA mRNA和蛋白表达持续降低,Smad7蛋白表达持续增高,E-cadherin mRNA和蛋白表达持续增高（P＜0.05）,而Smad7 mRNA表达无明显差异。结论：OM可抑制高糖诱导的NRK52E细胞发生EMT,其机制可能与OM下调TGF-β1表达及上调Smad7蛋白表达,进而抑制TGF-β1/Smads信号通路的致纤维化效应有关。     

Smaddening complexity: the role of Smad3 in epithelial-myofibroblast transition

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has emerged as a major mechanism in the pathogenesis of organ fibrosis. The epithelium has been proposed to be a significant source of matrix-producing fibroblasts and of myofibroblasts (MFs), a motile and contractile cell type hallmarked by the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA). Importantly, tissue accumulation of MFs shows strong correlation with the severity and progression of fibrotic diseases. The pleiotropic cytokine transforming growth factor-β(1) has been long known as the chief inducer of fibrosis, EMT and MF generation. Accordingly, receptor Smads (Smad2 and particularly Smad3), the direct targets of the activated transforming growth factor-β receptor have been implicated as critical mediators in fibrogenesis and EMT. However, evidence is accumulating that the role of Smad3 is complex and apparently controversial; in fact, Smad3 may differentially affect the various components of EMT, including the loss of epithelial markers (de-epithelialization), the production of extracellular matrix (fibrogenesis) and the expression of SMA (myogenic program). In this review, we revisit the role of Smad3 in epithelial-myofibroblast transition (EMyT). We first summarize the evidence supporting the thesis that Smad3 is a key mediator of EMT and MF generation; next, we present evidence supporting the antithesis that Smad3 is in fact a negative regulator of SMA expression and the activation of the myogenic program in the epithelium; finally, we propose a synthesis, which depicts Smad3 as a timekeeper and context-dependent modulator of EMyT. We suggest that EMyT is composed of an early, mesenchymal, Smad3-promoted phase and a late, myogenic, Smad3-inhibitable phase.     

TGFbeta1 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition, but not myofibroblast transdifferentiation of human kidney tubular epithelial cells in primary culture

The origin and fate of renal interstitial myofibroblasts (MFs), the effector cells of renal fibrosis, are still debated. Experimental evidence suggests that renal MFs derive from tubular epithelial cells throughout the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Primary human tubular epithelial cells (HUTECs) were cultured for 4 and 6 days on plastic or type I collagen-coated plates with 1, 5, 10 and 50 ng/ml of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1). The EMT process was monitored by morphology and immunophenotyping for alphaSMA, cytokeratin 8-18, E-cadherin, vimentin and collagen III. Quantitative comparative RT/PCR and real-time PCR were used to evaluate the expression of collagen III and IV, fibronectin, tenascin, MMP-2, CTGF, E-cadherin and cadherin 11 genes, as well as those of the Smad signalling pathway. TGFbeta1 was found capable of reactivating the mesenchymal programme switched off during tubulogenesis, but it induced no de novo expression of alphaSMA gene or myofibroblast phenotype. We demonstrate that the EMT process is conditioned by the extracellular matrix and characterized by TGFbeta1-driven Smad3 downregulation. Our study results suggest that TGFbeta1 could function as a classic embryonal inducer, initiating a cascade of de-differentiating events that might be further controlled by other factors in the cellular environment.     

Smad4对小鼠眼睑发育的影响

目的: 利用眼特异性 Smad4 基因敲除小鼠,观察其眼睑表型并探讨其眼睑发育异常的可能机制。方法: 选择 PAX6 第一启动子P0驱动的晶体外胚层特异性表达 Cre重组酶的转基因小鼠(Le-Cre)作为介导敲除的工具鼠,将其与 Smad4 条件基因小鼠( Smad4 ^fl/fl)交配获得 Le-Cre特异性Smad4 基因敲除小鼠,通过HE染色揭示其眼睑组织形态学的改变,采用免疫染色技术对某些关键蛋白的表达进行检测并与野生型小鼠进行比较,并检测其眼睑上皮细胞凋亡和增殖的改变。结果: Smad4 在眼睑的失活导致眼睑在发育过程中不能融合,生后眼睑保持开放;Smad4在眼睑的表达缺失不影响眼睑睑缘上皮细胞的增殖和凋亡,但导致上皮细胞内c-Jun磷酸化过程受损,表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)核转位受影响,引起细胞内肌动蛋白束装配异常而导致上皮细胞移行受损,出现眼睑发育时融合不能。结论: Smad4在眼睑发育中对于眼睑的闭合是必需的。     

Transforming growth factor-beta stimulates epithelial-mesenchymal transformation in the proepicardium.

The proepicardium (PE) migrates over the heart and forms the epicardium. A subset of these PE-derived cells undergoes epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and gives rise to cardiac fibroblasts and components of the coronary vasculature. We report that transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) 1 and TGFbeta2 increase EMT in PE explants as measured by invasion into a collagen gel, loss of cytokeratin expression, and redistribution of ZO1. The type I TGFbeta receptors ALK2 and ALK5 are both expressed in the PE. However, only constitutively active (ca) ALK2 stimulates PE-derived epithelial cell activation, the first step in transformation, whereas caALK5 stimulates neither activation nor transformation in PE explants. Overexpression of Smad6, an inhibitor of ALK2 signaling, inhibits epithelial cell activation, whereas BMP7, a known ligand for ALK2, has no effect. These data demonstrate that TGFbeta stimulates transformation in the PE and suggest that ALK2 partially mediates this effect.     

Transforming growth factor-beta induces loss of epithelial character and smooth muscle cell differentiation in epicardial cells.

During embryogenesis, epicardial cells undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT), invade the myocardium, and differentiate into components of the coronary vasculature, including smooth muscle cells. We tested the hypothesis that transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) stimulates EMT and smooth muscle differentiation of epicardial cells. In epicardial explants, TGFbeta1 and TGFbeta2 induce loss of epithelial morphology, cytokeratin, and membrane-associated Zonula Occludens-1 and increase the smooth muscle markers calponin and caldesmon. Inhibition of activin receptor-like kinase (ALK) 5 blocks these effects, whereas constitutively active (ca) ALK5 increases cell invasion by 42%. Overexpression of Smad 3 did not mimic the effects of caALK5. Inhibition of p160 rho kinase or p38 MAP kinase prevented the loss of epithelial morphology in response to TGFbeta, whereas only inhibition of p160 rho kinase blocked TGFbeta-stimulated caldesmon expression. These data demonstrate that TGFbeta stimulates loss of epithelial character and smooth muscle differentiation in epicardial cells by means of a mechanism that requires ALK5 and p160 rho kinase.     

Smad3 knockout mice exhibit impaired intestinal mucosal healing

Altered transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) expression may contribute to inflammatory bowel disease and modulate epithelial cell restitution. Interference with TGFbeta-mediated signaling inhibits excisional skin wound healing, but accelerates healing of incisional cutaneous wounds and wounds in some other tissues. Therefore, we sought to clarify the potential role of Smad3-dependent TGFbeta signaling in intestinal mucosal healing in Smad3 null mice. Jejunal serosal application of filter disks saturated with 75% acetic acid yielded a circumscribed reproducible ischemic mucosal ulcer 1 day later. We compared ulcer area at 3 and 5 days to day 1 in Smad3 knockout mice and syngeneic wild-type mice, and evaluated mucosal immunoreactivity at the ulcer edge for TGFbeta, phosphorylated (activated) focal adhesion kinase (pFAK), phosphorylated extracellular signal-related kinase (pERK), proliferating cell nuclear antigen and apoptosis by TUNEL. Ulcer healing in Smad3 null mice was 17% less at day 3 (n=14, P=0.022) and 15% less at day 5 (n=14, P=0.004) than in wild-type littermates. In wild-type mice, pFAK, pERK and TGFbeta immunoreactivity were elevated in epithelium immediately adjacent to the ulcer compared with more distant mucosa. However, this pattern of immunoreactivity for pFAK, pERK and TGFbeta was not observed in Smad3 null mice. Smad3 null mice exhibited increased epithelial proliferation and no differences in apoptotic cell death compared with wild types, suggesting that ulcer healing may reflect differences in restitutive cell migration. Thus, Smad3-dependent disruption of the TGFbeta signaling pathway impairs the healing of murine intestinal mucosal ulcers and alters patterns of activated FAK and ERK immunoreactivity important for cell migration at the ulcer edge. These studies suggest a significant role for Smad3-dependent TGFbeta signaling in intestinal mucosal healing.     

TGFbeta pathobiology in the eye

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), a multifunctional growth factor, is one of the most important ligands involved in the regulation of cell behavior in ocular tissues in physiological or pathological processes of development or tissue repair, although various other growth factors are also involved. Increased activity of this ligand may induce unfavorable inflammatory responses and tissue fibrosis. In mammals, three isoforms of TGFbeta, that is, beta1, beta2, and beta3, are known. Although all three TGFbeta isoforms and their receptors are present in ocular tissues, lack of TGFbeta2, but not TGFbeta1 or TGFbeta3, perturbs embryonic morphogenesis of the eyes in mice. Smads2/3 are key signaling molecules downstream of cell surface receptors for TGFbeta or activin. Upon TGF binding to the respective TGF receptor, Smads2/3 are phosphorylated by the receptor kinase at the C-terminus, form a complex with Smad4 and translocate to the nucleus for activation of TGFbeta gene targets. Moreover, mitogen-activated protein kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38 modulate Smad signals directly via Smad linker phosphorylation or indirectly via pathway crosstalk. Smad signals may therefore be a critical threrapeutic target in the treatment of ocular disorders related to fibrosis as in other systemic fibrotic diseases. The present paper reviews recent progress concerning the roles of TGFbeta signaling in the pathology of the eye.     

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition contributes to portal tract fibrogenesis during human chronic liver disease

The relationship between bile duct damage and portal fibrosis in chronic liver diseases remains unclear. This study was designed to show whether human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells can undergo epithelial-mesenchymal cell transition, thereby directly contributing to fibrogenesis. Primary human cholangiocytes were stimulated with transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) or TGFbeta-presenting T cells and examined for evidence of transition to a mesenchymal phenotype. Liver sections were labelled to detect antigens associated with biliary epithelial cells (cytokeratin 7 and 19 and E-cadherin), T cells (CD8), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (S100A4, vimentin and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2)), myofibroblasts (alpha-smooth muscle actin) and intracellular signal-transduction mediated by phosphorylated (p)Smad 2/3; in situ hybridisation was performed to detect mRNA encoding TGFbeta and S100A4. Stimulation of cultured cells with TGFbeta induced the expression of pSmad2/3, S100A4 and alpha-smooth muscle actin; these cells became highly motile. Although normal bile ducts expressed ALK5 (TGFbeta RI), low levels of TGFbeta mRNA and nuclear pSmad2/3, they did not express S100A4, vimentin or MMP-2. However, TGFbeta mRNA and nuclear pSmad2/3 were strongly expressed in damaged ducts, which also expressed S100A4, vimentin and MMP-2. Fibroblast-like cells which expressed S100A4 were present around many damaged bile ducts. Cells in the 'ductular reaction' expressed both epithelial and mesenchymal markers together with high levels of TGFbeta mRNA and pSmad2/3. In conclusion, the cells forming small- and medium-sized bile ducts and the ductular reaction undergo EMT during chronic liver diseases, resulting in the formation of invasive fibroblasts; this process may be driven by a response to local TGFbeta, possibly presented by infiltrating T cells.     

TGF-beta, BMPS, and their signal transducing mediators, Smads, in rat fracture healing

Smads are cytoplasmic signal transducers of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Their relation to fracture healing is unknown. This study examined the temporal protein expression of Smads, together with TGF-beta and BMPs, using immunohistochemistry in a rodent fracture model. Over-expression of TGF-beta, BMPs-2, 4, and 7, common-mediator Smad (Smad4), and receptor-regulated Smads (Smads1, 2, 3, and 5) versus lower levels of inhibitory Smad (Smad6), were detected at day 3 in osteogenic cells in the thickened periosteum and bone marrow at the fracture sites. At day 10, Smad6 increased dramatically, Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 remained elevated while Smad1 and Smad5 decreased in the fracture callus. Smad7 was expressed only in vascular endothelial cells. By day 28, when new bone had replaced the fracture callus, all the protein regulators decreased, approaching control levels. During fracture healing, the expression patterns of Smads1 and 5 were similar to that of BMPs-2 and 7 whereas the expression of Smads2 and 3 was parallel with that of TGF-beta. The Smad family, associated with BMPs and TGF-beta, may play an important role in the early stage of rat fracture healing.     

Hepatocyte growth factor inhibits epithelial to myofibroblast transition in lung cells via Smad7

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a lethal parenchymal lung disease characterized by denudation of the lung epithelium, fibroblast proliferation, and collagen deposition. Cellular changes underlying disease progression involve injury to alveolar epithelial cells, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, proliferation of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA)-expressing myofibroblasts and of fibroblasts resulting in enhanced deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) inhibits progression of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. The mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of HGF was investigated in an in vitro model. We show that HGF markedly antagonizes basal and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta-induced expression of myofibroblast markers such as alpha-SMA, collagen type 1, and fibronectin in rat alveolar epithelial cells. HGF also inhibited TGF-beta-induced alpha-SMA expression in primary murine alveolar epithelial cells. Since TGF-beta is known to regulate alpha-SMA expression, the effect of HGF on components of TGF-beta signaling was investigated. HGF induced expression of Smad7, an inhibitor of TGF-beta signaling, in a mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent manner. HGF also induced the nuclear export of Smad7 and Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor 1 (Smurf1) to the cytoplasm. HGF-dependent decrease in alpha-SMA was abolished with specific siRNAs targeted to Smad7. Thus, induction of Smad7 by HGF serves to limit acquisition of the myofibroblast phenotype in alveolar epithelial cells.     

Receptor-activated Smad localisation in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in fibrosis biology have identified transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta type I receptor-mediated activation of Smads as playing a central part in the development of fibrosis. However, to date, there have been few studies that examined the localisation and distribution of receptor-activated Smads protein (R-Smads: Smad2 and 3) during the fibrosis progression. AIMS: To histopathologically assess the time-course change of the localisation and distribution of the Smads protein in pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS: Pulmonary fibrosis was induced by intranasal injection of bleomycin (0.3 U/mouse). Lungs were isolated 2, 5, 7, 9 and 14 days after bleomycin treatment. Histological changes in the lungs were evaluated by haematoxylin-eosin stain or Masson's trichrome stain, and scored. TGF-beta1, Smad3 and phosphorylated Smad2 localisations in lung tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The bleomycin treatment led to considerable pulmonary fibrotic changes accompanied by marked increase in TGF-beta1 expression in infiltrating macrophages. With the progression in fibrosis (day 7-14), marked increases in Smad3-positive and pSmad2-positive cells were observed. There were intense Smad3-positive and pSmad2-positive signals localised to the nuclei of the infiltrating macrophages and to type II epithelial cells, and less intense signals in fibroblasts and hyperplastic alveolar/bronchiolar epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: The time-course data of TGF-beta1 and R-Smads indicate that progressive enhancement of TGF-beta1 signalling via R-Smad is activated in the process of fibrosis progression.     

白屈菜红碱对肝纤维化小鼠TGF-β/Smads信号通路的影响

目的:探讨白屈菜红碱对四氯化碳(CCl_4)诱导的肝纤维化损伤小鼠的保护作用及对转化生长因子β(TGF-β)/Smads信号通路的影响。方法:50只C57BL/6N小鼠随机分成正常对照组、模型组及白屈菜红碱低剂量(10 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))、中剂量(20 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))和高剂量(40 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1))3个剂量组,每组10只。采用腹腔注射CCl_4和橄榄油混合液8周诱导小鼠肝纤维化模型,白屈菜红碱组于第5周开始灌胃给药。第14周后处死小鼠,观察白屈菜红碱各剂量组干预后小鼠的肝指数,苏木精-伊红染色和苦味酸-酸性品红染色法观察小鼠肝组织的病理改变及肝纤维化的程度;采用分光光度计和酶标仪测定血清中天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、透明质酸(HA)和肝组织中羟脯氨酸(Hyp)的含量;RT-q PCR检测TGF-β1、Smad3、Smad4和Smad7的mRNA表达;Western blot检测TGF-β1、Smad4和Smad7的蛋白表达。结果:与正常对照组比较,模型组肝纤维化的病理改变明显,肝指数、AST、ALT、HA和Hyp均显著升高(P0.05);TGF-β1、Smad3和Smad4的mRNA表达显著上调,Smad7的mRNA表达显著下调(P0.05);TGF-β1和Smad4的蛋白表达显著上调,Smad7的蛋白表达显著下调(P0.05);与模型组比较,白屈菜红碱不同剂量给药组均抑制上述指标的改变(P0.05)。结论:白屈菜红碱能够抑制CCl_4诱导的小鼠肝纤维化,其机制可能与TGF-β/Smads信号通路有关。